Newberry Bulldogs Triumph in Home Opener Against Union County
NEWBERRY — It was an exciting evening in Newberry as the varsity boys’ basketball team kicked off their season against Union County on Friday, December 6th. With a lively crowd filling the stands, the Bulldogs showcased their talent and determination, securing a 67-57 victory over the visiting Yellow Jackets.
First Quarter Fireworks
Right from the start, the Bulldogs made it clear they were ready to compete. Starting guard Isaiah Glymph set the tone early, scoring the team’s first three baskets and tallying an impressive nine points in the first quarter alone. At the end of this period, the Bulldogs had raced out to an 18-9 lead, making their home crowd proud and buzzing with excitement.
Yellow Jackets Counterattack
However, the Yellow Jackets were not about to back down. In the second quarter, they rallied back with determination, launching a 9-2 run that quickly cut Newberry’s lead down to just two points. The game reached a thrilling moment when Union County tied the game at 20-20. But Newberry found their rhythm again, ending the half with a 30-24 lead, thanks to their strong teamwork and tenacity.
Third Quarter Surge
As the third quarter began, Newberry started to establish a more commanding presence on the scoreboard. They built on their lead, reaching a high of 39-28 in the early minutes of the period. Kenton Caldwell, the starting point guard, ignited his team, scoring seven points after having been quiet in the previous quarter. Caldwell ended the game as the leading scorer with a total of 20 points, 15 of which came in the critical second half.
Close Finish in the Fourth Quarter
Heading into the final quarter with a 46-38 advantage, the Bulldogs faced a resurgence from the Yellow Jackets, who weren’t ready to concede. Both teams went toe-to-toe in a high-scoring fourth that saw a combined 40 points added to the scoreboard in the final minutes. Union County opened with a fierce 12-4 run, narrowing the Bulldogs’ lead to just four points.
Big Plays Down the Stretch
The clutch moments of the game were critical, and the Bulldogs’ bench players stepped up when needed most. Senior backup point guard CJ Earl came off the bench to steal the show briefly, contributing six important points, all in the fourth quarter. Caldwell also made his presence felt with eight points during the final stretch, including two crucial free throws that locked in the victory.
“It was a great game, but we are still working,” said Bulldogs head coach Adonis Hill. “We’ve only had six practices with all of our football guys being out, so they still have their football legs. Usually, we don’t shoot well in December, but overall I’m happy because we would’ve found a way to mess that one up in previous years.”
A Promising Start
Newberry’s performance showed promise, with players AJ Jeter and Jamel Howse combining for 19 points and dominating the boards defensively. Looking ahead, the Bulldogs are ready to take on Chapin on December 10th, then return home on December 11th to face Irmo. The highly anticipated rivalry matchup against Mid-Carolina is also on the horizon, set for December 13th, although Coach Hill is keeping his focus on the upcoming game against Chapin first.
As the Bulldogs continue to work on their game, the excitement in Newberry is palpable. Fans are looking forward to what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
